Leaving while on the top

Every Birth Chart consists of two parts: the Static Chart, which we are born with, and the dynamic Chart, which is continuously changing.

Even if you have an excellent Static Chart, the dynamic component will ensure that you have ups and downs, regardless. It also works vice versa, so if you have a not-so-great Chart, the dynamic part might bring you a period in life where you will have a better chance to be successful.

Because of this dynamic, everyone experiences fluctuations, regardless of their success. Many actors may have only a 5- to 10-year period during which their careers take off; for some, it may be even shorter. It’s pretty rare to see a movie star with 50 or more years in a highly creative period, although in some rare cases it might happen.

Therefore, it’s essential for every person, in every profession, to know when it’s their time to look for a gracious exit.

One great example is the early retirement of Daniel Day-Lewis, one of the greatest and most rewarded actors of our time.

Daniel had been considering his retirement for some time, but after his last movie, The Phantom Thread, he finally made a difficult decision.

The thing is, if a person’s Chart is in a highly productive mode, one would never think about retirement. People begin to consider it when their Chart has become less efficient, and they can feel it.

Daniel Day-Lewis is a Yin Metal Master Element. Yin Metals are often highly sensitive individuals, but his excessive Mind Component further amplifies that sensitivity. People with an extreme Intellect Component are often eccentric, especially if the Creativity Component is missing, like in his case.

Earth Element represents Intellect Component for Daniel Day-Lewis, while Water represents Creativity. A strong Earth without Water to control can be pretty problematic. He stated in his most recent interview that he feels extremely sad, which is a key characteristic of a static, unused Earth. For an actor, a Creativity Component is quite essential. It represents output, a connection with an audience. Without Water, he probably doesn’t feel comfortable putting himself out there.

I recommend that all of you watch his film, There Will Be Blood, to better understand how a combination of excessive Earth and Intellect Components works. The very first scene in the movie, with him being deep underground, digging for oil, shows us his emotional state, which has a lot to do with fighting and conquering darkness, hence his depression and issues with sadness.

His static Chart lacks Water, and in 1984, he entered a Water season, with its peak between 1994 and 2013. During these years, his popularity and demand for acting were at their peak. At the end of his productive period, he won his final Oscar for his role in the film Lincoln.

After that, he entered a period of Earth and Fire; the Water Element was gone, causing various problems, from depression to lack of creative drive.

Daniel seems well attuned to his own emotions and state of mind, so he obviously noticed that something was wrong and decided on early retirement. Of course, he is not aware, most likely, of the real cause of this, but it seems he is doing the right thing to address it.

He could go on for sure another ten years in show business, as many do, cash checks on previously earned fame and glory, but he decided on a dignified exit, making sure that his legacy remains strong. He struggled with his popularity throughout his entire career. A dominant Intellect Component usually means that a person prefers privacy and a quiet environment, where one can engage in intellectual work and self-reflection.

I’m sure a man of his power and influence will be able to find other ways to contribute and explore life; that won’t be through big screens anymore.

He gave us his best years; there is little else we can ask of him, so we should be thankful for his contributions.